Chapter 51: The Mad Doctor

The deeper they ventured into Thriller Bark, the more oppressive the atmosphere became. The fog clung to the air, heavy with the scent of rot and decay. Every step the crew took seemed to echo through the massive ship, as if the walls themselves were listening.

"Smells like death," Smoker muttered, his nose wrinkling. "This whole place is a tomb."

Vulcan nodded, gripping his naginata tighter as they approached the next set of doors. "Yeah, and I've got a feeling things are about to get even uglier."

"Hina agrees," Hina said coolly, though even her usually stoic expression looked more tense than usual. "Something about this place… feels wrong."

"Ah, this is just the beginning," Brook said with his usual cheery tone. "But don't worry! Even if things go terribly wrong, I'll be fine! I'm already dead! Yohohoho!"

Before anyone could groan at Brook's joke, the doors in front of them creaked open with a loud, unsettling squeal. A foul stench hit them immediately, thick with the smell of chemicals and something far more sinister.

"Ugh, what is that?" one of the recruits gagged, covering his nose.

Vulcan's eyes narrowed as he peered into the room beyond. The space was dimly lit by flickering lanterns, casting long, distorted shadows over a series of tables lined up against the far wall. Each table was covered in tools, strange mechanical devices, and… bodies.

"Hina does not like this," Hina said, stepping into the room cautiously.

"Neither do I," Smoker added, his cigarette barely hanging from his lips as he scanned the room. "This place screams trouble."

As the crew moved further into the lab, they saw Dr. Hogback hunched over one of the tables, his back to them. His long, greasy hair clung to his face, and he muttered to himself as he worked on the body in front of him.

"What the hell is he doing?" Vulcan asked, inching closer.

Brook's eyes—well, eye sockets—widened as he recognized the man. "Ah, that's Dr. Hogback! He's the one responsible for creating all these zombies. A twisted genius, to say the least. Yohohoho!"

"Not just any zombies," Vulcan muttered, taking another step forward. "These ones are stronger… faster."

Dr. Hogback suddenly straightened, turning to face the crew. His face was twisted into a wide, unnerving grin, his eyes gleaming with an almost manic excitement.

"Oh, look who's stumbled into my little workshop," Hogback cackled, his voice filled with mad glee. "You've come just in time to witness my latest creations. Aren't you lucky?"

"Lucky?" Vulcan growled, raising his naginata. "I wouldn't call this 'lucky.'"

Hogback waved his hand dismissively, his smile never faltering. "Oh, but you should! You see, I've perfected my work. My zombies are unlike anything you've faced before. They're faster, stronger, and completely obedient to me. You don't stand a chance."

As if on cue, the bodies on the tables began to stir. The zombies sat up slowly, their eyes empty and their movements mechanical, but the power radiating from them was undeniable.

"Oh, great," Smoker muttered. "More of these freaks."

"Hina will take them," Hina said, stepping forward, her hands already glowing with the power of her Cage-Cage Fruit.

But before she could move, the zombies leapt from the tables, faster than any normal human could react. One of them lunged at Vulcan with unnatural speed, its movements jerky but powerful.

"Damn!" Vulcan swung his naginata just in time to block the attack, but the force of the blow sent him sliding back a few feet.

"These things are strong," he muttered through gritted teeth.

Hina managed to catch one of the zombies with her iron bars, trapping it in mid-air, but the other zombies were already surrounding the crew, their eyes glowing with a strange, eerie light.

Vulcan, Smoker, and Hina quickly engaged in battle with the enhanced zombies. Despite their stiff, jerky movements, the zombies were incredibly strong, their speed making them formidable foes. Every time Vulcan landed a hit, the zombies barely flinched, their bodies moving with the precision of machines.

"These things don't stop," Vulcan growled, his naginata slicing through one zombie's arm, but it kept attacking without hesitation.

Brook, meanwhile, danced through the battlefield with his sword-cane, slicing at the zombies with his usual elegance. "Ah, zombies are one of my favorite opponents! They don't bleed, but they do make wonderful targets! Yohohoho!"

Despite their combined efforts, the zombies were relentless, attacking with a ferocity that left no room for error.

Hogback watched from the sidelines, his twisted grin never faltering. "You see? My creations are perfect! You don't stand a chance!"

Vulcan glanced at Hogback, his eyes narrowing. "He's the one controlling them. If we take him out, they'll stop."

Hina nodded, trapping another zombie in her cage. "Hina agrees. Target the doctor."

But Hogback was already backing away, his eyes gleaming with glee. "Oh, you won't be able to touch me. Not before my zombies tear you apart!"

Just as Hogback was about to flee, Brook stepped in front of him, his sword held out in front of him. "Ah, Dr. Hogback, running away? That's not very gentlemanly of you. Yohohoho!"

Hogback's eyes widened. "Get out of my way, skeleton!"

"I'm afraid I can't do that," Brook replied with a mock bow. "You see, I have a bone to pick with you. Yohohoho!"

Vulcan groaned. "Brook, now's not the time for puns."

But Brook was already moving, his sword flashing in the dim light. He slashed at Hogback, who barely managed to dodge the attack, his grin faltering as he realized Brook wasn't just joking around.

"Stay back!" Hogback shouted, but it was too late. Brook's sword sliced through the air again, this time cutting through Hogback's coat and forcing him to stumble back.

Seeing his chance, Vulcan lunged forward with Soru, closing the distance in a split second. His naginata swung in a wide arc, catching Hogback in the side and sending him crashing into a table of tools.

The zombies, seeing their master fall, hesitated for a moment, their movements slowing.

"Hina will finish this," Hina said, raising her hands. Iron bars shot up from the ground, surrounding Hogback and locking him in place.

"No! My zombies!" Hogback screamed, struggling against the bars. "You can't do this! My work is perfect!"

"Perfect?" Vulcan shook his head, standing over Hogback with his naginata pointed at him. "All you've done is mess with people's lives. And now, you're going to pay for it."

The zombies around them collapsed, their bodies going limp as whatever control Hogback had over them vanished.

Brook gave a dramatic sigh, sheathing his sword with a flourish. "Ah, what a shame. I was just getting warmed up."

Smoker crossed his arms, glaring down at the mad doctor. "I don't care how 'perfect' your zombies were. You're done."

Hina nodded, her usual calm expression back in place. "Hina will take him to the brig."

As Hogback was dragged away, still ranting about his "perfect creations," Vulcan took a deep breath, his grip on his naginata relaxing slightly.

"That was a close one," Vulcan muttered.